STRUČNA ŠKOLA SA PRAKTIČNOM OBUKOM ZA KROJENjE RUBLjA I ŽENSKOG ODELA U KRAGUJEVCU 1884–1962

Abstract

Vocational school with practical training in tailoring underwear and women's suits in Kragujevac 1884-1962 was one of the most important schools in the city. Although it was abolished in 1962, having operated for 78 years, the school has left its mark on the history of the city and beyond. During its seventy-eight years of existence, the school has changed its name several times, participated in humanitarian actions during the war, performed its duty conscientiously, and a moderate number of talented and qualified female students came out of its benches ready for independent work. The most prosperous time for the school was the beginning of the XX century up until The First Balkan War, but we cannot disregard the fact that the school had been a success after The Second World War as well. As part of various extracurricular activities, it had established a cooperation with other schools and cultural and educational institutions. At that time, the school had been organizing numerous events, excursions, and trips; participated in numerous actions and activities, celebrated its jubilee - with both parents and citizens attending the events. The school had a quality teaching staff at the time, however, even then, there were part-time teachers, who were not too interested in contributing to the school’s reputability. They were, most often, transferred to other schools or resigned themselves due to low salaries. The students of this school came from different families: some were poor and the others came from wealthy and affluent families. The students from wealthy families paid their tuition, while the poor regular students were exempted from paying any tuition. They earned money by sewing and tailoring suits and receiving their percentages, which they could use for their own needs, or by participating in events and concerts. However, there were students who were enrolled, but did not attend classes regularly, and who were forced to leave school or be transferred to another one due to not having enough money. Taking into account all the difficulties that the school had been facing during its existence (insufficient teaching aids, facilities problems, teaching staff etc.), we conclude that it had been an entirely satisfactory episode in the city’s history. The sources preserved in the Historical Archive of Šumadija Kragujevac are more than complex and provide us with a detailed insight into the real state of the school through its various stages of operation.